Be careful of the 3lb bag of rockets candy (combination of 6 candies). A member of our local support group reported to us that while the rockets and 2 other candies were made in their US plant, 3 others were made in China and the representative on the phone expressed her concern regarding safety measures and likleyhood of adequate label warnings on those items given all of the problems China has recently had.
The package indicates "imported exclusively within Canada".

In a bowl, beat shortening and sugar until light. Add eggs, one at a time, with molasses and syrup. In a separate bowl, stir dry ingredients together and add in heaping spoonfuls to molasses mixture; stir until well combined. Divide dough into 4 balls. Wrap individually and refrigerate for at least 2 1/2 hours or up to 1 week.

Cut out and carefully label each pattern piece. Roll balls of chilled dough individually between wax paper to 5-mm ( 1/4-inch) thickness. Trace and cut out each pattern piece for the house; save cookie scraps to roll again as needed. Remember to cut out windows and doors before baking.

In a bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar for 4 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Slowly add sugar, 125 ml ( 1/2 cup) at a time, beating until thick (may require less sugar). Add food colouring, if desired. Transfer icing to large self-sealing plastic bag. Close and set aside.

To Assemble

Use the haunted house photo and graphic as your assembly guide. Use a foil-covered cutting board as the base.

Snip corner from icing bag and pipe icing generously along edges of gingerbread to glue pieces together. Start with the walls, using cans or jars to support the structure as the icing hardens.

Complete structure by gluing on the roof and chimney with piped icing. Allow to harden for at least 15 minutes.

Use peanut-free chocolate bars to decorate the haunted house, gluing the chocolate in place with icing. Add other Halloweeen-themed decorations to personalize the house.

Our son just turned 4. What I did last year was filled a small bag with "safe" treats that was the same as the bag he used to trick or treat (picked up 2 bags at the dollar store). I also added a few non food fun items. At the end of the trick or treating I swapped bags and gave the "unsafe,unchecked" bag to my husband to take to the staff room at work. I found that the "Trick or Treat" book with Alexander the Elephant helped a lot too and I've been reading it again with our son as this year's Halloween approaches. He knows not to eat anything and that everything has to be checked by mom and dad when he gets home and that's when I do the bag swap. A bit sneaky? Absolutely, but it's safer.
Good Luck!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you all have a safe and wonderful one!

We're already through the school parties, which are probably the most stressful part (just making sure everything was safe and organized, the teachers were fantastic). Now for a little trick or treating and a visit from the Great Pumpkin...

My guys are a Dementor and an "Unknown Phantom" (creepy guy with these nifty little battery operated eyes that glow). We've graduated to the scary costumes.

Have fun and be safe guys!

_________________1 son allergic to eggs, peanuts, green peas, chick peas, lentils and tomatoes
(avoiding tree nuts and most other legumes too)
1 son allergic to eggs, and has outgrown peanuts
Both with many environmental allergies, asthma and eczema

My daughter an I saw many discarded candy wrappers while trick or treating and she was shocked to think that anyone would eat their loot with out having an adult check it first. (Ah, I love the under 9 years... )

Great Pumpkin was his usual generous self and I'm sure he is now feeling the effects of all the chocolate.

My daughter is starting to figure things out too. Every year I drop off a sealed bag of safe treats to our neighbours in advance of our arrival. We only go to about 10 homes. This year I was late making my deliveries. I ran out just before supper on Halloween night. I was heading to my second "drop off" when I looked back at our home and saw my daughter watching me in the window. My husband distracted her after that but she was curious about what I was doing. I told her that I was reminding the neighbours about her allergies.

She was Tinkerbell and her brother was a race car driver. I also make up bags of safe goodies for him. If we let him bring home all of the regular loot, it would be difficult to contain messy milk chocolate fingers.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween.

_________________13 year old daughter -- lives with life-threatening allergies to milk, tree nuts and peanuts; seasonal allergies (birch, maple, ragweed); pet allergies; asthma; and eczema10 year old son - no allergies

We had a wonderful halloween, and actually alot less of the peanut/traces of candy this year.
Although ds's kindergarten class let me down. It is entirely Peanut/nut free. There are 2 kids in class with Peanut allergies. A couple of kids gave out treat bags, one of the bags ds came home with was ALL Peanut contaminated (you know the "manufactured/may contain" I was disapointed that they wouldn't check before giving them out.

Halloween was kept safe again for us I hope it was for everyone else as well

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